Projects

Dredging Mitigation and Rapid Relocation of Coral - Saudi Arabia

Essential dredging works threatened the survival of a unique near shore reef located off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Dredging permits could not be issued until an agreed percentage of the reef was relocated out of harm’s way. This relocation had to be completed within 12 days in summer in order to prevent delays to the dredgingoperation and significant additional cost to the client.

Reef Ball Australia (Partner Company to SOI) was contracted to conduct the site surveys and rapid relocation of priority coral colonies - the first such relocation ever conducted in Saudi Arabia. A total of 523 colonies ranging in size from 10cm to 130cm were relocated 700m west of the dredge site to an area of similar water quality and depth. The site was selected with input from sediment plume modelling and site surveys.

Moving corals in the summer is not usually recommended due to the added stress of high temperatures however the local coral species proved resilient and able to survive up to 10 minutes out of water.

Table 1.Coral species and number relocated.

Benefits to the Client

Dredging permit issued on schedule and dredging able to commence without delay.

Reduced environmental impact and demonstration of best practice for dredging works.

The whole project was successfully conducted with minimal input required from the client except for visa applications. Our experience of working in the Middle East combined with our Saudi partner Gothier Contracting meant that all equipment, accommodation, portacabin, transport, dive equipment, airfreight, and boats were sourced with no time or resources required from the client.

Services provided

Data review and construction of GIS model

Site survey

Coral relocation plan and budget

Mobilisation of equipment and international team of certified coral handlers

All in-country logistics

Relocation and stabilisation of coral including construction of custom concrete artificial reef units

The proposed project consisted of a 13km shipping channel and harbour to be constructed for a US$28B petrochemical facility. The channel would pass through an area of caprock ridges supporting important coral communities and associated reef biota including commercially important fish species.

The companies commissioned site surveys and a mitigation plan to reduce and compensate for impacts resulting from the dredge works. Mitigation strategies included relocation of high priority coral species, construction of compensatory artificial reefs, innovative dredging options, and enhancement of rock seawalls and design of silt curtain configurations to reduce sediment loading on key habitats.

The whole project was successfully conducted with minimal input required from the client except for visa applications.

>> Download a testimonial from the Project Managers regarding our performance and delivery on this project. Note: this particular project was conducted through our artificial reef construction company 'Reef Ball Australia'.

Our Experience

Dredge Mitigation & Coral Transplantation

Qatar - New Doha Port Coral Mitigation Plan

SOI was contracted to conduct the detailed coral mapping and preparation of coral mitigation and artificial reef plan for the new world class Doha Port and naval base to commence construction in 2012. This port will have a 10km dredged shipping channel and impact footprint of 4.5km2.

Environmental impact assessments typically do not include the necessary surveys required for coral relocation and mitigation plans. Therefore specialists such as SOI are required to conduct additional surveys after the EIA and this can add delays to permits and increase project costs as well as limit opportunities for mitigation. We highly recommend you contact SOI prior to conducting EIAs and design work in order to maximise the scope of your opportunities to mitigate impacts, avoid delays to dredging and additional costs to important projects.

Coral & Marine Environment Preservation Plan

Site surveys and preparation of artificial reef designs to mitigate a 13km shipping channel to be constructed for U$28b refinery. Plan covered coral relocation, construction of compensatory artificial reefs and enhancement of rock harbour walls.

>> Download a testimonial from the Project Managers regarding our performance and delivery on this project. Note: this particular project was conducted through our artificial reef construction company 'Reef Ball Australia'.

Coral Relocation Relocation of unique near shore coral colonies out of dredge zone including construction of custom artificial reef to anchor the coral.

Reef Ball Breakwater Reef Ball contractor in the largest Reef Ball breakwater for beach protection built to date with over 4,000 Reef Balls deployed. Included the transplantation on to the Reef Balls of over 17 tonnes of rescued corals from pending dredge sites making it the largest coral relocation ever conducted.

Fisheries Enhancement & Multipurpose Reefs

Bahrain - SOI with Bahrain partners PHE Gulf and Reef Arabia have won a two year contract to design, build and monitor reefs for fisheries enhancement to commence late 2011.

Photo below shows the construction yard of Reef Arabia which SOI trained to manufacture the concrete reef units for the project. Reef Arabia in partnership with SOI and Reef Ball Australia is now up and running and able to supply the GCC with reef units ranging in size from 20kg to over 6 tonnes.

Set-up of construction site and training of volunteers on construction of Reef Balls and their deployment under docks and within canals.

New South Wales Fisheries - (Sydney Australia) – set-up of construction site and training on construction of Reef Balls to be used to enhance Lake Macquarie.

Fishery Enhancement Program - (North Sulawesi, PT Newmont Minahasa Raya) - US gold mine project to improve fisheries and mitigate damage to coral from dynamiting. Site selection, set-up of construction and training, deployment and reef configurations. Now rated as one of Asia’s top dive spots.

Marine Habitat Enhancement Program - (Abu Dhabi, UAE)–enhancement of fisheries and corals around a private island using Reef Balls ranging in size from 15 kg to 3000kg. Setup up of construction site, training of local staff, site assessment, reef design, coral transplants and deployment of 350 Reef Balls.

Erosion Control using Reef Balls - (Turtle Islands Sabah) – survey of five islands and recommendations of how Reef Ball breakwaters could be used to reduce erosion and maximise environmental enhancement. Breakwater completed 2008.

HMAS Brisbane - Site Assessment& Recommendations - (Queensland Dept. of Premier and Cabinet, Australia) – survey of benthic habitats and analysis of wave climate at proposed locations for the sinking of the HMAS Brisbane navy destroyer off the Sunshine Coast. Project Manager.

HMAS Brisbane - Investigation of Permit Requirements and Required Works – (State Development Sunshine Coast, & Sunshine Coast Artificial Reef Group Australia) – review and recommendations on permits required for sinking of the ex-navy ship as a diving attraction off the Sunshine Coast.

Octopus Gardens - (CYDIVE Pty Ltd, CYPRUS) - design and establishment of the world's first 'Octopus Gardens'. Extremely successful habitats specifically designed to attract octopus to entertain and help educate sport divers about marine life.

Construction of artificial reefs (Saudi Arabia)– general diving reefs in a sandy bay within the Arabian Gulf using materials of opportunity. Included the preparation of a guide for the local diving clubs on how to design and construct an artificial reef.

Reef Conservation

Reef Conservation Mauritius (Mauritius) – Founder and Chief Technical Advisor for the creation, setup and management of the NGO (www.reef-mauritius.com) to achieve sustainable management and conservation of marine resources through the community stewardship and partnerships with fisheries and tourism. Includes Beach Resource Centre, marine tour guide training and certification, permanent moorings, MPA, and marine education programs in over 80 schools.

Palau International Coral Reef Research Center (US Department of State) - private sector Advisory Council Member providing input to the design and planning of this large scale joint venture between the US, Palau, and the Japanese governments to help assure the preservation of tropical coral reefs throughout the region.

Marine Protected Areas and Coastal Management Plans

Development of National Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (Government of Mauritius, Landell Mills Ltd) - Identify priority areas for development of action plans to be included within the overall ICZM strategy including potential development of future marine protected areas and develop demonstration action plans for the selected sites.

Islets Management Plan For Lagoon And Offshore Islets – Second Phase (University of Mauritius and Ministry of Agriculture National Parks and Conservation Unit) - Field surveys and consultations with all stakeholders to develop a management plan including identification of marine protected areas for the inner lagoon and offshore islets.

Partnerships for MPA’s in Mauritius and Rodribues (UNDP/GEF Government of Mauritius and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly) - Establishment of a co-managed marine protected area in Rodrigues (South East marine Protected Area SEMPA) as a demonstration site and institutional and legislative review and strengthening in support of co-management of MPAs.

Regional Programme on Sustainable Management of the Coastal Zone of the Countries of the Indian Ocean (European Union, Commission of the Indian Ocean) - Feasibility study for the development of a Regional Coastal Zone Management process for the Western Indian Ocean Island States and the East Coast of Africa.

Sustainable Development of the Seychelles Fisheries Sector (Seychelles Fishing Authority, Government of Seychelles) – Compilation of data and development of a 10 year sustainable fisheries plan including presentation and defence of the plan to the various sectors and Government.

Shoals of Capricorn Programme (Governments of Seychelles, Mauritius and UK) - Negotiations, planning, implementation and management of regional research, training and education programme in the western Indian Ocean leading to the development of national initiatives in Seychelles and Mauritius.

In the News

Fish Friendly Marinas

Here's an article by SOI Director David Lennon in the Dec issue of the Marina Industry Associations magazine.

SOI can provide the full suite of services from assessing marinas and recommending strategies to increase fish habitat, to providing and deploying the most appropriate fish habitat. Retrofitting a marina is always the most costly option so if you are designing are marina, get in touch with us and we can show you the most cost and ecologically effective strategies to boost biodiversity and fish numbers.

Reef CPR for the GBR!

SOI is partnering with Cairns based 'Sustainable Reefs' and Southern Cross University in order to establish a Reef CPR (coral preservation and restoration) program that includes a research and training centre and coral adoption and planting program that will allow the tourism industry to play a role in helping the reef and to help fill gaps in knowledge about effective restoration strategies for impacted areas on the Great Barrier Reef. This knowledge will then be used in training programs to build the capacity of the dive industry and key government partners to respond to ship groundings, cyclone damage and general reef breakage occuring at high use sites. In effect it is pioneering a new philosophy of recognising that while the reef is traditionally resilient, it is unable to quickly recover from the huge stresses we are placing on it. Just as we have maintenance programs in land based parks, we now must do the same with our marine parks.

The program covers the science, art and business of restoration which is key to its success.

The Adopt-a-Coral program spearheaded by coral mascot 'Ari' will allow tourists, locals and anyone internationally to contriibute to saving the GBR.

Tourists, especially those snorkelling and diving can leave the reef in better condition than they found it! Therefore turning tourism into a tool for reef preservation. Considering the huge tourism value of the GBR...its the least we can do!

Contact us if you'd like to be involved.

Qater reef constructed to offset port impacts

SOI prepared the coral mitigation plan for the new Doha Port to reduce impacts of this important project and this included coral relocation and construction of a purpose designed artificial reef.

SOI's sister company Reef Arabia based in Bahrain, manufactured, delivered and deployed the concrete reef units for this mitigation requirement.

Summary of projects and product development, 2012

Here's our quick overview of some key projects and new constructed reef units we've worked on in 2012.

Local customs and architecture are considered when planning new buildings...as underwater architects, we believe there are benefits of doing the same when designing a reef.

But its not just about designing a pretty replica for the seabed! The design must also appeal to the marine life of the area.

We describe a good example of how this can be done in our Tech Note 4 -download here .

World's First 3D printed Artificial Reef!

In a world first, an advanced construction sized 3D printer has been used by SOI to revolutionise artificial reef design and produce reef units that look and function like a natural reef, a major step forward in a bid to restore lost and damaged reefs around the world.

...and the award goes to...GhostNets Australia for their work in northern Australia tackling the serious problem of lost fishing nets called 'ghost nets'.

The group has found ghost nets measuring 10km long and recorded a myriad of marine species that get entangled as the nets drift along with the currents. The destruction caused by ghost nets continues as they near shore, often wrapping themselves around delicate coral reefs and coastal mangrove systems.

"The GhostNets Australia program is a fantastic example of innovation in action"l.

Murray cod are Australia's largest freshwater fish and overfishing and loss of essential habitat has decimated their numbers. SOI has been contracted to design and construct a concrete unit to help restore some of the essential breeding habitat the fish require. September surveys found a 1.03m Murray Cod right on top of a cod cave so that was very exciting and confirmation they are working. Sidescan image by ACT Government.

SOI wins 2 Year Contract - Bahrain

SOI and partner Reef Arabia have won a two year contract to design, build and monitor 10 artificial reefs around Bahrain.

Four reefs have been deployed thus far. This is the first project of its kind to be constructed in the Arabian Gulf and the first to use custom reef units (designed by SOI) specifically for the local species.

SOI Completes Coral Mitigation Plan for New Doha Port

SOI conducted the necessary surveys and prepared the coral mitigation plans for the New Doha Port and naval base construction which includes a 10km long shipping channel and impact footprint of 4.5km2. Our mitigation plan included accurate coral surveys to quantify the size, type and number of corals within the imperiled and threatened zones, and detailed recommendations on relocation methodology, relocation sites and compensatory artificial reefs to offset loss of productive reef structure.